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Parties sacrifice nationhood for political gain
Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 11/03/2008 7:17 AM | Headlines
Senior politician Theo L. Sambuaga looked uneasy when asked why his Golkar Party, which boasts a nationalist platform, voted for the controversial pornography bill.
“Personally, I don’t agree with the bill as it endangers our national unity. But what can I do? The majority said it was in the party’s interests,” he said Saturday.
He skipped the House of Representatives’ plenary session to pass the bill last Thursday.
Theo hails from the predominantly Christian province of North Sulawesi, which together with predominantly Hindu Bali and predominantly Christian Papua officially reject the bill.
The House endorsed the bill regardless of the provinces’ opposition and the boycott of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Prosperous Peace Party (PDS).
The two parties walked out of the plenary session in a show of protest against the House majority, which they said had put national integration and pluralism at stake for giving their fiat.
Many legislators have said Golkar was instrumental in blocking the PDI-P’s demand for the bill’s passage to be delayed.
A professor in politics at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Ikrar Nusa Bhakti, said Golkar’s interest in supporting the bill was obviously to woo Muslim voters ahead of the 2009 elections. A number of recent surveys have shown Golkar has fallen behind the PDI-P.
While the move sacrifices Golkar’s founding values for short-term political gains, it will not necessarily bear the fruits the party’s elites expected, Ikrar said.
“I don’t really understand Golkar’s calculations. They are afraid Muslim voters will desert them if they voted against the bill. But now, moderate Muslims and the party’s constituents in the provinces that reject the bill may leave them,” Ikrar said.
As if confirming it was all for the elections, Hakim Sorimuda Pohan of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party asked people not to vote for the PDI-P and the PDS because of their opposition to the bill.
“People must be aware now who they should vote for. They must not vote for the PDI-P and the PDS, which support pornography,” he said.
Former Muhammadiyah chairman Syafii Maarif, who was recently awarded the Magsasay Award for his pluralism stance, said he believed the pornography bill would not threaten pluralism in the country.
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb contributed to this story from Padang.
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Miguel (not verified) — Sun, 11/09/2008 - 3:50pm
What nationhood you are talking about?
The political analysis for Indonesia is predictable: political leaders and their supporters have adopted western consumption patterns they enjoyed thanks to a "faithful Muslim" majority who elect them every year and who have no access to the luxury lifestyle. The irony is that the 90% of the country declare themselves being spiritual -following religious values- but spend of large amount of time shopping, and watching gossip shows, celebrity scandals and superficial information meanwhile kids receive no values, good nutrition and education to improve the standards of development. Therefore this is an endless vicious circle: Now "this majority" believe the anti-porn law will protect their families, increase the economy, promote values. Unfortunately, bird flue, bad nutrition, corruption, TV programs, air and clean pollution are the real threats to Indonesian families.
AndhikaY — Fri, 11/07/2008 - 10:56am
By now, they should have understood one thing; we are not an islamic state. By siding with a religious view rather than the well being of the whole, parties have now shown their real colors. Politics over nationhood? Golkar, what have you done?
Bre redundan (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 10:22pm
What parties? The story says nothing about parties, which is a plural form! The Jakarta Post often generalize things. If you cant find other sources, from other parties, why not just say GOLKAR for crying out loud!
R.Astari (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 8:53pm
What's the matter, Hakim S.Pohan? Are you afraid that more smarter Indonesian people (than you, obviously *rolls eyes*) will vote for PDI-P and PDS to stop your ridiculous act? Well, in that case, you're so weak, pathetic, and shallow-minded. I wonder how you've got to where you are now, but I'm sure people like you are going nowhere - like dogs chasing off their own tails!
Major_Bob (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 5:02pm
I m a moslem, whos going to vote for PDS in the next election
Edt (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 4:09pm
hey..this is a typical Indonesia's politician mentality, goosh..what are you thinking guys in senayan with a/c room,nice cars!
Nindya (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 3:02pm
“People must be aware now who they should vote for. They must not vote for the PDI-P and the PDS, which support pornography,” he said.
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I really really mad when I read that part. Putting a position AGAINST the Bill DOES NOT MEAN that we are supporting pornography. Many people said that Pornography Bill is made in order to protect the children, so how about our Children Protection Bill? Vanished in the thin air?
John Ralph (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 11:12am
Golkar has shot itself in the foot by thinking it will capture more votes by presenting itself as more Islamic. This abuse of Islam is one of the reasons why Islam is failing in Indonesia. One has only to note the naivety on even the most basic understanding of general knowledge and education in this country. Indonesians have little understanding of their own country let alone religion. Islam has become corrupted in Indonesia to suit the vested interest of certain people, from political parties to dare I say it, even pedophiles that use Islam to hide behind justify a so called marriage to a 12 year girl. In a western country the rights of the child and women are protected, but not here where they are abused. No wonder Indonesians are looked down on by Muslims world wide. No one cares in this country.
delvi (not verified) — Mon, 11/03/2008 - 8:09am
I won't cast my vote for any party which support this chauvinist and sexist bill. I am a woman of my word, I am warning you.
And you Hakim Soramuda Pohan, what rights do you have to tell us not to vote for PDI-P or PDS? See, now this holier than thou law makers begin to reveal their true intention in forcing to pass this bill. Did you say it is about morality? Come on, we are not as moronic as you are. It's about garnering votes. I repeat, it's about securing your way to power. It's about how you hold on to power. What we ordinary (woman) people make out of this bill?